The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has once again successfully completed its collection of samples from migratory birds as part of an ongoing check for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.

“This year’s testing is complete thanks to the combined efforts of department staff and volunteer hunters,” said GFP Senior Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa of Brookings. “Thanks to those efforts, we sent 750 samples to be tested at the SDSU Diagnostic Laboratory.”

While testing on the samples is not complete, Vaa noted that so far no birds have tested positive for the highly pathogenic bird flu that has caused worldwide concern. Active surveillance efforts in most states and Canadian provinces have yet to reveal a positive test for the highly pathogenic bird flu.

In South Dakota, samples are sent to the diagnostic lab at South Dakota State University at Brookings which has a contract with the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to conduct preliminary avian influenza testing.

“This year GFP was directed to focus its efforts on ‘dabbling’ ducks that gather in shallow wetlands,” Vaa said. “While many species were sent in for testing, the greatest emphasis was on mallards, northern pintails and blue-winged teal.”

Bird samples were collected during duck banding operations in July, August and September and then hunter-harvested birds were used from across the state for testing in September, October and November during the waterfowl hunting season.

While testing efforts have not yet turned up a strain of the highly pathogenic bird flu virus in South Dakota or anywhere else in North America, hunters and others who handle wild birds are advised to follow a few safety precautions. Those precautions include:

• Do not handle or harvest game birds that are obviously sick.
• Use rubber or latex gloves when cleaning birds.
• Wash hands and cleaning utensils thoroughly.
• Cook birds to a minimum of 165 degrees F.